The scale of seed grinding at Lake Mungo

Authors

Richard Fullagar, University of WollongongFollow
Elspeth Hayes, University of WollongongFollow
Birgitta Stephenson, Groove Analysis Pty LtdFollow
Judith Field, University of Sydney, University of New South Wales
Carney Matheson, Lakehead UniversityFollow
Nicola Stern, La Trobe University
Kathryn Fitzsimmons, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

RIS ID

102932

Publication Details

Fullagar, R., Hayes, E., Stephenson, B., Field, J., Matheson, C., Stern, N. & Fitzsimmons, K. E. (2015). The scale of seed grinding at Lake Mungo. Archaeology in Oceania, 50 (3), 177-179.

Abstract

Smith's Comment on our functional analysis of grinding stone fragments from Pleistocene contexts at Lake Mungo (Fullagar et al. 2015) draws attention to the low frequency of implements, uncertainties about functional interpretations and archaeological implications. He argues that Pleistocene seed exploitation at Lake Mungo was limited and probably not indicative of a seed grinding economy. We suggest that it is premature to speculate about the scale of seed grinding at Lake Mungo. We also use new data to address concerns raised about our methodology.